Aureus School delivered a timely event this week starting a great discussion for parents, carers and school leaders. Offline & Safe: Rethinking Children’s Digital Freedom event delivered urgent and eye-opening information around the growing risks associated with children’s unregulated internet and smartphone access.
Held in partnership with Smartphone Free Childhood, the event highlighted the pressing need to go beyond in-school mobile phone bans and to create a more holistic approach to safeguarding children in an increasingly digital world.
Headteacher Kirsty Rogers of Aureus School has been a leading voice in this movement since it began. Under her leadership, Aureus has implemented a strict mobile phone policy where students lock their devices in pouches throughout the school day. But, as Ms Rogers passionately stated during the event, “This isn’t enough. Children are having unrestricted access to the internet, and we sometimes forget this is a two-way thing. You might feel your child is ready for the internet – but are you ready for the internet to have access to them?”
Joining her on stage was Will Orr-Ewing from Smartphone Free Childhood, who presented shocking statistics that underline the mental health risks, privacy concerns, and developmental challenges stemming from early mobile phone use. The two presenters recommended that if your child does not yet have a smartphone to delay until at least 14 years of age, but also gave recommendations for children who already have a smartphone and how to put in place restrictions and reduce their use. A member of the audience contributed “I think what we are forgetting is as parents we can say we made a mistake and we take those smartphones back.” The movement is very clear that it is not anti-tech, they simply want to ensure families feel empowered to make the right decision for them.
The event was met with strong engagement from the audience, sparking important conversations about how families, schools, and communities can work together to create a safer, more balanced digital environment for children.
Offline & Safe marked not only a pivotal moment in this growing movement but also a rallying cry for collective action. To learn more and join the conversation, visit www.smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk
